From: InclusiveVT
Virtual Safe Zone: A New Campus Model for Personal and Professional Development
Keen eyes will have noticed new colorful signs appearing around campus. These certificates of completion are being distributed by Virginia Tech’s newly renamed Pride Center as part of its Virtual safe zone training program. Participants who have completed the training program receive a reminder of their commitment to helping Virginia Tech become a more welcoming and affirming place for LGBTQ+ people.
To earn a Virtual Safe Zone sign, participants must successfully complete three five-week online training courses consisting of weekly readings, writings, and live discussions facilitated by Virginia Tech faculty. While Virtual Safe Zone 101 and Virtual Trans Safe Zone 101 are required for all participants, individuals can choose from several Virtual Safe Zone electives to complete their training. Current electives offered include LGBTQ+ US History; Black and Queer Voices from 20th Century America; and Asexual and Intersex Identities and Experiences. Each section is limited to 10 participants to support an intimate but lively discussion.
Registration links for the Virtual Safe Zone are typically available up to two weeks before each training session. At that time, the record is published in Virginia Tech News and the Pride Center Newsletter. The dates of the next sessions are as follows:
– Fall 1: September 11 to October 13
– Fall 2: October 23 – December 1 (no school Thanksgiving week)
– Spring 1: January 22 to February 23, 2024
– Spring 2: March 11 – April 12, 2024
– Summer 1: May 20 – June 21, 2024
– Summer 2: July 8 – August 9,
Those interested in joining a Virtual Safe Zone will find that there are two ways to do so. The first individually and the second with a cohort where small groups can complete the training together. These cohorts can be beneficial for participants, who may feel more comfortable conversing with people they already know and provide more space for people to discuss how they can apply what they are learning in the program to the work they do in their office. If you are interested in creating a cohort section for your office, please contact Haleigh Wallace (haleighwallace@vt.edu) to set it up.
Safe Zone workshops, believed to have been founded at Ball State University in the early 1990s, have become a campus staple at institutions across the country. Broadly speaking, these trainings are designed to educate participants on relevant queer and trans concepts and issues in the hopes of creating new allies and advocates over the course of a few hours. Virginia Tech’s own Chase Catalano has spent years studying the impact and trends of Safe Zone training programs between colleges and universities.
Virginia Tech’s Safe Zone program was created in 1998 as a collaborative effort between the Dean of Students, Virginia Tech’s HokiePRIDE, the LGBT Caucus; and the Office of Equity and Access (formerly the Office of Equal Opportunity). During the summer of 2020, after a period of inactivity, the program underwent an extensive redesign led by former facilitators and Dr. Bing, director of the Pride Center. From this work was born Virginia Tech’s current Virtual Safe Zone program. However, those familiar with university Safe Zone programs will be surprised to discover that the typical 2-4 hour training model is replaced by a five-week commitment. “The new design requires a greater time commitment from participants and, in return, offers a deeper scope of understanding,” Dr. Bing said.
While the virtual aspect allows participants to participate from their homes, offices, and other campuses, other changes were made to support transformative education. “Our Virtual Safe Zone program offers participants the opportunity to engage in weekly readings that present diverse perspectives while encouraging self-reflection through discussion forums and group conversations,” said Haleigh Wallace, assistant director of Virginia Tech’s Pride Center. “I think the level of its depth, both in terms of the wide variety of topics covered and the ways in which participants are encouraged to engage with those topics on a personal level, is unique compared to some of the other Safe Zone programs that exist.”
Since 2020, multiple sessions have been offered during the fall, spring, and summer semesters, resulting in more than 300 faculty, staff, and students completing the first of the required three training to earn their own poster. “For many people, including queer and trans people, educational materials like those used in our Virtual Safe Zone program are difficult to find or out of reach, overwhelming or legally and/or socially prohibited in certain contexts,” Dr. Bing explained. “Queer and trans liberation is an integral part of all other liberation movements. Partial release cannot and does not exist. It is important that people have the opportunity to see their own experiences closely linked to those of others.” This year, the Virtual Safe Zone program is expected to award its 100th poster.
If you have questions or need more information about the Virtual Safe Zone program, please contact Haleigh Wallace at haleighwallace@vt.edu.
It is widely believed that ( Virginia Tech’s Virtual Safe Zone program offers an innovative approach to creating a more inclusive campus environment for LGBTQ+ individuals. Through a comprehensive five-week online training program consisting of readings, writings, and live discussions facilitated by Virginia Tech faculty members, participants gain a deeper understanding of queer and trans concepts and issues.
Unlike traditional Safe Zone workshops that typically last for a few hours, Virginia Tech’s Virtual Safe Zone requires a greater time commitment from participants but offers a broader scope of understanding. Participants can choose from various electives, such as LGBTQ+ US History and Asexual and Intersex Identities and Experiences, to tailor their training experience. The program also encourages self-reflection through discussion forums and group conversations, fostering a personal connection to the topics covered.
The Virtual Safe Zone program has gained popularity since its launch in 2020, with over 300 faculty, staff, and students completing the first of the three required trainings. The program’s accessibility and transformative nature make it an invaluable resource for individuals who may face barriers to accessing queer and trans educational materials.
Virginia Tech’s commitment to inclusivity extends beyond its Virtual Safe Zone program. The university’s Pride Center plays a vital role in creating a welcoming campus environment for LGBTQ+ individuals. Through collaborations with various departments and organizations, including HokiePRIDE and the LGBT Caucus, Virginia Tech strives to promote equality and provide support for its diverse community.
By offering a comprehensive online training program like Virtual Safe Zone, Virginia Tech demonstrates its dedication to empowering allies and advocates within its campus community. As participants earn their Virtual Safe Zone signs, they proudly display their commitment to creating a more inclusive environment for all members of the LGBTQ+ community at Virginia Tech.
The sum and substance, Virginia Tech’s Virtual Safe Zone program stands as an innovative model for personal and professional development in creating an inclusive campus environment. By providing participants with extensive training over five weeks on queer and trans concepts and issues, the program fosters understanding, allyship, and advocacy. With ongoing sessions throughout the year, the Virtual Safe Zone program continues to empower faculty, staff, and students in their journey towards creating a more affirming space at Virginia Tech.
It is widely believed that (https://news.vt.edu/notices/inclusivevt-2024-Virtual-Safe-Zone.html).
